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Just another WordPress weblogMon, 31 Mar 2014 21:21:55 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1How Walk In Tubs Help the Elderly Combat Cold Weatherhttp://blog.safetytubs.com/285/how-walk-in-tubs-help-the-elderly-combat-cold-weather/
http://blog.safetytubs.com/285/how-walk-in-tubs-help-the-elderly-combat-cold-weather/#commentsMon, 31 Jan 2011 19:33:40 +0000stblogadmin201http://blog.safetytubs.com/?p=285Besides being plainly uncomfortable, cold weather presents significant health challenges to the elderly. Every year, cold snaps claim the lives of seniors who are unable to physically adjust to the temperature changes they experience. To most younger and middle aged adults, some of these temperature drops seem relatively insignificant and for that reason, it’s immensely important that caregivers, family and friends keep a careful watch on their elderly loved ones during times of temperature fluctuation. The good news is that with awareness and planning, many unfortunate incidents can be prevented. To that end, the walk in bathtub can play a helpful role in mitigating the risk cold weather poses to elderly people.

High Blood Pressure and Cold Weather

"Cold weather has been proven to increase blood pressure in the elderly. It's important to monitor blood pressure during cold weather and treat it accordingly." (Photo courtesy of IstockPhoto.com)

Recent studies have shown that cold weather increases blood pressure in elderly people. For some the change is slight, while in others it can be significant. Scientists are just starting to understand this relationship.

In some people, cold weather interferes with the body’s ability to regulate body temperature. Part of this system involves the constriction and dilation of different blood vessels in the body. If vessels constrict without need or too aggressively, blood pressure can spike. Sometimes the body keeps too much fluid in the blood, increasing blood volume and again increasing blood pressure. When a person is cold, the blood vessels in the extremities contract, limiting the space the blood can flow within the body. This can also raise a person’s blood pressure. In others, cold weather causes emotional stress as a result of the uncomfortable physical sensations brought about by being cold. That emotional stress can lead to reactions in the body that constrict blood vessels and increase heart rate, leading to higher blood pressure.

Some elderly people will experience more than one of these issues, or a combination of all of them. Since higher blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack in older people, it’s very important to keep an eye on blood pressure during colder weather and to immediately treat any changes that put a person at risk.

Walk In Tubs and High Blood Pressure

Walk in tubs can aid in the control of blood pressure in a few ways. First, walk in tubs offer full body soaks, and that type of bath is the best way to warm a person and increase their core body temperature. The effect of a warm bath on core body temperature can last for hours after a person has finished a soak in their walk in tub. Increasing an elderly person’s core body temperature can help mitigate the changes in the body that cold weather facilitates which in turn can lead to smaller elevations in blood pressure or perhaps no changes at all.

Secondly, a full body soak in a walk in bathtub is extremely enjoyable and relaxing. Helping a person relax can negate the negative emotional effects of cold weather and help a person lower their stress level. Any blood pressure increases caused by that stress may also dissipate.

In addition, full body soaks in walk in tubs can aid in circulation to the extremities and to the surface of the skin by causing dilation of the blood vessels in these areas, which can also help to lower blood pressure.

Of course, every person is unique and may respond differently to warm soaks in walk in tubs, and no one treatment is the right answer for everyone. As such, it’s extremely important to consult a doctor before embarking upon any regimen designed to combat cold-induced high blood pressure in elderly people.

Core Temperature Drops and Cold Weather

"Elderly people are more sensitive to cold and less able to mitigate changes in temperature than younger people. It's important that they have all the tools necessary to maintain a healthy core body temperature." (Photo courtesy of IstockPhoto.com)

Elderly people are more sensitive to and are less able to mitigate changes in temperature as well as younger people for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the biochemical processes that help control body temperature just don’t work as well in older people as they do in younger people. Secondly, older people have less body fat and less muscle mass than younger people. Body fat and muscle tissue act as insulation in the body and help retain body heat. When a person has less of both, drops in temperature – even moderate ones – can significantly affect the rate at which an older person loses heat and the rate at which their core body temperature falls. Lastly, as people age, their skin becomes thinner and looser, increasing the overall surface area and increasing the rate at which heat is transferred out of the body. As a result, older people lose heat more quickly than younger people and are more susceptible to outside temperature changes.

These combined susceptibilities can result in the onset of Hypothermia in an older person at temperatures that would not trigger it in a younger person. Hypothermia is a condition where a person’s core body temperature drops below safe levels and results in the malfunction of internal body systems. Hypothermia is extremely dangerous and in an elderly person, it can quickly become deadly. Symptoms of hypothermia include disorientation, confusion, fatigue, shivering, slurred speech, sleepiness, memory loss, irregular heartbeat, numbness in the extremities and cool or pale skin.

Walk In Bathtubs and Core Body Temperature

It’s pretty obvious that a long, full body soak in a warm walk in bathtub can raise a person’s core body temperature. One of the first treatments for a patient with hypothermia is the slow and steady raising of body temperature to help the body normalize its internal functions. Depending on the situation, this is usually accomplished with heated blankets, heated liquid compresses like hot water bottles, heating pads and hot baths.

Without a doubt, the best “treatment” for hypothermia is preventing it from happening in the first place. Hot baths in a walk in tub accompanied by sufficient room heat, heated blankets, warm, dry clothing and hot food and beverages go a long way in keeping an elderly person’s core body temperature at a healthy and safe level. Whenever temperatures dip suddenly in your area (especially if they are below 65 degrees), it is imperative that you check on elderly loved ones to be sure they are dressed appropriately (layers of warm, moisture wicking fabric are best), have adequate heat and access to warm blankets, are remembering to eat and drink (preferably warm food and liquids), and are taking their medications as scheduled. If they are lucky enough to have access to a walk in tub, you will want to make sure they take full advantage of its benefits as well.

If you suspect that an elderly person may be suffering from hypothermia, call 911 immediately and ask for specific instructions on what you should do to help while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Only trained health professionals should determine the course of action for a person suffering from hypothermia and their assistance is immediately required in these situations.

Slips, Falls and Cold Weather

"Cold weather leads to snowy, icy or wet surfaces which in turn can cause slips and falls, so precautions need to be taken wherever possible to help the elderly avoid injury during colder months." (Photo courtesy of IstockPhoto.com)

One of the most common causes of injury in elderly people is slipping and falling. Cold weather is often accompanied by snow or ice, which in themselves pose serious hazards outside when older folks or folks with limited mobility try to negotiate icy or snowy walkways, sidewalks or stairs. But cold weather outside can also effect the elderly inside, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom.

Shoes that have melted ice, snow or rain on them are more slippery than those that are dry. Walking into a kitchen or bathroom (which usually have smooth, water-resistant floor surfaces like tile, wood, marble or linoleum) wearing wet shoes can lead to sudden slips and falls.

Limbs that are cold can often be numb, and this may affect a person’s ability to properly sense where the floor is under their feet or to get a firm grip on a railing. This is particularly true of steps and uneven thresholds, and can lead to trips and falls.

Walk In Tubs and Slips and Falls

Walk in bathtubs from Safety Tubs® have built in safety bars that help a person balance and support their weight as they enter and exit a tub. For a cold person who needs to warm up and has partially or fully numb hands and/or feet, this is an extremely helpful safety precaution. Warm full body soaks in a walk in bathtub help a person regain warmth and feeling in their limbs, allowing them to more safely navigate stairs or thresholds.

Other precautions include making sure that an elderly person who is mobile outside does not walk on pavements or stairs or other pathways that are not clear of ice or snow. Ideally, they should always walk with someone else who can be there to lend them support or help them avoid a fall. They should always be dressed appropriately to be sure they stay warm and comfortable and should wear solid, warm footwear that has excellent tread and grip, even in snow.

Once inside, footwear should be wiped and dried before walking fully into the house, or it should be taken off and exchanged for dry, warm, non-slip slippers, shoes or boots. Seats or benches right next to doors that allow people to easily change footwear is an excellent idea, so long as it does not hinder movement or block walkways or pose a tripping hazard.

]]>http://blog.safetytubs.com/285/how-walk-in-tubs-help-the-elderly-combat-cold-weather/feed/0Home Improvement Tips for the Aging and Elderly – Part 3http://blog.safetytubs.com/234/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-3/
http://blog.safetytubs.com/234/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-3/#commentsThu, 30 Sep 2010 20:30:33 +0000stblogadmin201http://blog.safetytubs.com/?p=234How to Create a Safe Haven for Independent Living

Part 3 of 3

House Wide General Improvements

Floors and Stairs

Steps pose a major danger to the elderly, particularly those with impaired strength, movement or balance. Attention to small details like proper railing installation, non-slip stair treads and the removal of area rugs from the tops and bottoms of staircases can help reduce the risk of injury. (Photo courtesy of IstockPhoto.com)

Since slipping and falling is a major cause of injury in the elderly, it’s important to pay particular attention to the condition of floors and stairs. There are many steps you can take to minimize the chance of injury by making sure floor and stair surfaces throughout the home are both safe and secure.

For Floors:

Secure carpets and area rugs with adequate grips so they don’t move or shift when people walk over them. Carpets with a high-quality rubber backing will grip smooth floor surfaces well. If existing carpets or area rugs don’t have rubber backing, install carpet tape or non-slip rug pads to keep them firmly in place.

Don’t place area rugs on top of wall-to-wall carpeting. They will not lie as flat as they should and edges that stick or curl up can cause trips and falls.

Make sure transitions from room to room are completely seamless and flat and that transition pieces are not loose or sticking up. If there is a step (or steps) from one room down or up into another, be sure to provide handrails if possible and make sure steps are very obvious and easy to see. If the step is constructed of hardwood or tile or another smooth surface, be sure to install rubber stair treads or anti-slip tape for traction. Stair treads come in traditional styles or more decorative styles. Be sure to secure treads with an appropriate adhesive to keep them firmly in place.

Make sure wall-to-wall carpeting is tight and secure.

Make sure walkways within the home are clear of clutter and are wide and easy to maneuver.

For Stairs:

Ensure all stairs are even in height and are deep enough to comfortably place the entire foot on the step for proper balance. Although most houses have steps with standard-sized rises and depths, some older homes – particularly antiques in older regions of the country – have taller, shallower steps that are harder to navigate.

Check that every step is solidly constructed and has no loose boards or nails and fix any that are suspect.

For wood, painted or tile steps or steps made out of other smooth materials, be sure to install rubber or abrasive treads or anti-slip tape for proper footing and grip. Stair treads come in traditional styles or more decorative styles. Be sure to secure treads with an appropriate adhesive to keep them firmly in place.

For carpeted steps, be sure the carpeting is firmly installed and not sagging or loose.

Make sure handrails run the length of the entire staircase, are placed in a position that is easy to reach, provide enough surface area for a secure grip, and are securely fastened to the wall.

Consider installing a stair lift for people who have issues with balance, mobility or strength to ensure their safety going up and down staircases.

Do not place area rugs at the top or bottom of staircases, where trips or slips can result in serious injury.

If an elderly person is unable to use steps or a chair elevator consistently and safely, and their bedroom and/or bath is located upstairs, consider converting existing first level space into a bedroom and/or bathroom or construct a new addition with a bedroom and/or bathroom on the 1st floor.

Anti-Scald devices and Hot Water Temperature

As we age, we sometimes lose the ability to feel differences in temperatures. What might be painful to a younger person does not necessarily feel the same to an older person. Or, an elderly person might suffer from cognitive or memory issues and forget how to correctly set a water temperature when taking a bath or shower. Hot water can cause 3rd degree burns if it’s hot enough and a person’s body is exposed long enough. As such, it’s very important to make sure all household faucets are equipped with devices that help protect an elderly person from scalding water, and that the temperature of a hot water heater is not set to a dangerous level.

The temperature of the hot water heater should be set so that it does not output water above 118 degrees F. For most people, that temperature will cause discomfort or some pain, but it will not produce 1st degree burns. If a person living in the household is very sensitive to temperature, or is unable to distinguish between hot and cold sensations, then you may want to adjust the temperature to be 110 degrees F or less instead.

Make sure all faucets in the house are equipped with Anti-Scald Devices. There are different types of these devices; those that monitor pressure and adjust the flow of water, and those that monitor temperature and automatically adjust it if needed. Temperature based devices are more expensive than pressure based devices, but are more effective. The best devices are those that monitor both pressure and temperature. Not only is temperature adjusted if it’s sensed to be too hot, but the flow of water is cut or significantly reduced until the temperature has been adjusted to a safe level.

Cabinetry and Countertops

Trying to access high cabinets by using step stools or chairs, or crouching low to access floor cabinets can be very difficult and dangerous for an elderly person. In addition, high counter heights, particularly in kitchens, require a person to stand for long periods of time and are not accessible to those in wheelchairs. Handles and pulls can be hard to grasp, and drawers can be difficult to pull out. There are a number of thoughtful changes you can implement house wide that will improve the ability of an elderly person to interact easily and safely with cabinetry and countertops.

Adjust counter heights to accommodate people who are confined to wheelchairs or who can’t bend. They should be 28-34” high for someone in a wheelchair and 40” high for someone who has trouble bending.

Place as many every day items as possible – with the most popular items located in the most accessible places – in cabinets that are the easiest to reach and reserve harder to reach cabinets for storage of special occasion or seasonal items.

Use ergonomic, easy to grip handles and pulls

Use high quality drawer glides so pulling drawers out and pushing them in is simple and effortless.

Doorways

Be sure doorways are wide enough to comfortably accommodate people using wheelchairs or walking devices and gives them plenty of room to maneuver on either side. (Photo courtesy of IStockPhoto.com)

For the elderly (who may sometimes have vision problems, use walking aids, find themselves confined to wheelchairs or suffer from obesity), doorways can present potential obstacles to easy movement and navigation throughout a home. Making sure doorways meet the following criteria will help the elderly or mobility impaired avoid collisions with door jams and will facilitate easier, stress-free travel.

Doorways should be wide and tall to accommodate people confined to wheelchairs, who need to use canes or walkers or who are sight impaired and benefit from extra room to maneuver. A good width for a doorframe is 32” to 36”.

There should not be any furniture or other obstacles within 48” to 60” of the door to allow for the full movement of the door when opened or closed, and to ensure there is enough room for the person to maneuver around it.

Doors should not be unduly heavy or difficult to open or close.

Door latches should be easy to grip, ergonomic and not require tight pinching or grasping or twisting of the wrist to operate.

Windows

Depending on the type, windows can be difficult even for healthy young adults to open and so for the elderly, they can be extremely problematic.

Casement windows with cranks are the easiest for most people to open or close. There is no need for undue strength and the crank is usually positioned at a height that is easy for most people to reach, even those in wheelchairs.

Motorized window blinds can help make the use of blinds easy for people with limited motor skills or who are wheelchair bound.

Lighting

It’s not unusual for middle-aged people to suddenly realize they can’t read small type or see as well in the dark as they used to. And, unfortunately, as we age our eyesight usually becomes worse and our eyes more sensitive to extremes of light and dark. As such, its extremely important that elderly people have strategically placed lighting installed or placed throughout their homes that employ easy to use controls, allowing them to easily brighten and dim a room as needed so they can stay safe at night or during cloudy or stormy days.

Light switches

Use ergonomic light switches that have large tilt plates instead of those with small toggles

Position light switches so they are no higher than 48” from the floor, so people who have problems stretching or reaching or who are confined to wheel chairs are still able to reach them.

Light fixtures

Light fixtures like lamps should be easy to reach. If they are not controlled with a wall switch, pulls are the preferred method of operation because they are easy to grasp and use. If a knob is used, it should be big enough to grab and turn easily.

Lights should be placed in areas that are frequently used at night and that don’t require a user to get up and navigate through a dark room to get to the light switch. For example, a lamp should always be placed next to the bed and within easy reach, so if a person needs to get up from bed at night, they can easily turn on the light first in order to navigate the room safely. Similar places would include a light next to a favorite chair or sofa.

Night lights are extremely helpful in areas of the house that may be dark if a person must transverse them before turning on a light elsewhere. They may help those with compromised vision to avoid tripping over or bumping into objects until they are able to turn on a light.

Be sure shades on lamps or light fixtures let ample light through. Dark shades may look fashionable, but they significantly cut down the amount of ambient light emitted from light fixtures and can make a room too dark for people with compromised eyesight.

The amount of lighting in a room or area may need to be increased or decreased depending on a person’s need for brighter or dimmer surroundings. Most elderly people need more light to help them see clearly and more easily. Some who have conditions that make them sensitive to light, like people who suffer from chronic migraines, may need to have light adjusted to be less harsh, and more diffuse. Dimmers are a great way to control the amount of light coming from a ceiling or wall fixture and allow people to adjust the light level as needed.

Electrical Appliances

Electrical appliances are generally designed for the average healthy adult, so they can sometimes be difficult to use by people with compromised eyesight, strength, dexterity or mobility. Because they are electric, they can also be dangerous to those who don’t or aren’t able to correctly handle them.

Be sure to contact major appliance manufacturers to enquire about specialty products or options that address physical limitations. Many manufacturers have products available with features like large displays for sight impaired people or larger knobs for those with compromised manual strength or dexterity.

Major appliances should be positioned so they are easily accessible from either side. Make sure there is plenty of room around the appliances for people to move about and around each other if necessary.

Be sure major electrical appliances are on their own circuits with breakers so that they can be easily turned off if needed, are protected from power surges that may occur in other circuits in the home, and so they don’t overload electrical circuits when other electrical appliances are concurrently running.

If an elderly person relies upon an electrical appliance to provide a health benefit, like a specific medical device or space heater, make sure that in the event of an extended power outage, backup power is available for those appliances.

Position electrical outlets so they are no lower than 15” from the floor and no higher than 48” so people who have problems bending or crouching or who are confined to wheel chairs are still able to reach them.

Position thermostats no higher than 48” from the floor so they are accessible to people in wheelchairs.

Never place an electric appliance in the vicinity of a sink or bathtub, or other area where it can be knocked over and fall into water or get splashed with water. This is especially true of space heaters in the bathroom.

Be sure countertop and other small appliances remain unplugged when not in use.

General Tips

There are very simple changes you can make to the home that are surprisingly effective at providing a safer and more secure environment for an older individual:

Remove hanging tablecloths or other draping linens from tables, beds, coffee tables or other pieces of furniture that may droop to the floor, get tangled in feet or legs, and cause trips and falls.

Remove tablecloths or other pads that slip easily on counters or tables to prevent accidental scalding with hot food or liquids.

Make sure furniture and other objects in the house do not have broken or sharp edges, nails or screws that are sticking out, and are placed well out of the way of typical foot traffic.

If an elderly person lives with pets, try to keep pets from being underfoot. Small pets may be hard to see and cause trips or falls. High-strung pets can cause injury or falls. Crating pets during times when the person is moving about the home or securing the pet in a separate room when they’re highly excited can be helpful.

If an elderly person lives with children, be sure to educate the children on interacting safely with the elderly person. For example, ask them to help the elderly person with easy tasks, like retrieving items from other rooms or helping them read a label. Also ask children to be considerate of the elderly person’s mobility and strength issues by not leaving their toys or other items on the floor where they can be tripped over, and to refrain from jumping on or bumping brusquely into the elderly person.

]]>http://blog.safetytubs.com/234/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-3/feed/0Home Improvement Tips for the Aging and Elderly – Part 2http://blog.safetytubs.com/228/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-ii/
http://blog.safetytubs.com/228/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-ii/#commentsWed, 22 Sep 2010 17:44:28 +0000stblogadmin201http://blog.safetytubs.com/?p=228How to Create a Safe Haven for Independent Living

Part 2 of 3

Kitchen Specific Improvements

Kitchen Counters and Cabinets

Like bathroom counts and cabinets, the ultimate solution for a fully accessible and safe kitchen for the elderly employs lifts, or mechanical devices that lower and raise different portions of a kitchen’s cabinets, small appliances or work top spaces. While expensive, the effect allows anyone, no matter their physical limitation, to access kitchen tools and appliances easily and is a wonderful home improvement for all ages.

If lifts aren’t an option, there are a number of other improvements you can make that will greatly increase the usability and safety of a kitchen area for an elderly or mobility impaired person.

Kitchen Counters

Like in bathrooms, employ varying countertop heights to enhance kitchen usability as people age. Lower counters to between 28” and 34” and ensure at least 29” of clearance (from the floor up) under the counter to allow people in wheelchairs and with walking devices to get close enough to the counter to comfortable use it.

The first 16” of depth in a counter, from the edge closest the user and back, is considered the most comfortable work area. Counter space behind those first 16” can be used for storage instead.

Use glare-free materials for counter tops so that people can easily see items placed upon them.

Kitchen Cabinets

Lowering higher cabinets by 3” to 5” from standard heights makes more of the shelves accessible to most people, so items are easier to access and move.

If possible install easy access features like rolling carts and baskets, lazy susans, and full extension drawer glides to cabinets to make finding and accessing items quicker and easier.

The use of glare-free surfaces for cabinetry improves a person’s visual ability to locate handles and knobs.

Kitchen Sinks

Sinks that are designed to be wheelchair accessible are usually shallow, anywhere from 5” to 6.5” deep so that the user can reach to the bottom of the sink, and to provide enough clearance under the sink for a wheelchair or other walking aid. Faucets should be ergonomic and contain a single, easy to grip control to ensure operation is simple and effortless.

Because a person on a wheelchair might bring their legs or lower part of their body in contact with the plumbing below the sink, it’s important that you insulate the pipes, particularly the hot water and drainage pipes, to prevent any burns from the hot water moving through them while the sink is in use.

]]>http://blog.safetytubs.com/228/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly-part-ii/feed/0Home Improvement Tips for the Aging and Elderly – Part 1http://blog.safetytubs.com/215/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly/
http://blog.safetytubs.com/215/home-improvement-tips-for-the-aging-and-elderly/#commentsWed, 08 Sep 2010 21:41:13 +0000stblogadmin201http://blog.safetytubs.com/?p=215How to Create a Safe Haven for Independent Living

Part 1 of 3

Staying Independent and Safe In The Home

Seniors are living longer in their homes today than in the past, thanks to thoughtful products designed to aid independent living and through consumer education on senior home safety. (Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com)

If you pay attention to health and medical news, you won’t be surprised to learn that people are living longer, healthier lives today than they were just a few decades ago. As a result, senior populations are expanding and more people eventually experience health issues common amongst the elderly: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis and hearing and vision loss. Most seniors will reach a point in their lives when they need specialized environments to safely retain their independence.

There are a surprising number of home improvements you can perform that will help make life easier and more secure for yourself or elderly family members and friends. These home improvements range from major projects like installing safer flooring to small improvements like simply rearranging furniture into safer configurations.

The ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities is a great resource for ideas on how to make a home easier to live in and more accessible to people as they age. Many of the published guidelines, particularly requirements for corridor and door widths, safety bars and proper access to different types of facilities (bathrooms, for example) can go a long way to extending the amount of time an elderly or physically impaired individual can live independently.

Bathroom Specific Improvements

General Bathroom Improvements

Falls and slips are one of the most common causes of injury to elderly people. The combination of smooth surfaces and ample water make the bathroom one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. A significant number of injuries occur as people try to enter and exit their baths or showers, use toilets and sinks, and maneuver over wet floor surfaces. For this reason, it is extremely important that the bathroom be updated for an elderly person or person with limited mobility. If you can only afford to make a few home improvements, bathrooms are the best place to start. The most basic improvements are fairly inexpensive and provide enhanced safety.

If possible, doors should not open into the bathroom, so that the person has ample space to maneuver when inside the bathroom while the door is open.

Ideally, there should be at least 30” x 48” of open space in front of countertops, sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers to provide proper and safe access to these fixtures.

Mirrors should be hung lengthwise and placed on the back of doors or directly above the sink instead of at standing eye level, so people confined to wheelchairs are able to use them.

Grab bars should be installed parallel to the floor or at a slight diagonal (with the slope facing the person in the sitting position) in the following places:

Alongside the toilet

In the tub/shower areas

Grab bars can also be installed vertically in the shower area as well to provide stability walking in and out of the shower.

Besides aiding in balance and stability, grab bars also help people maintain strength, in that they encourage pushing and pulling or supporting one’s weight when they are used, and work muscles that may otherwise not enjoy the exercise.

Bathroom Cabinets and Countertops

The ultimate solution for a fully accessible bathroom for the elderly employs lifts, or mechanical devices that lower and raise different portions of a bathroom’s cabinets and counter top spaces to adjust to the user’s desired height. While expensive, the result allows anyone, no matter their physical limitation, to access bathroom storage and products easily and is a wonderful home improvement for all ages. If lifts are not a feasible option, there are other considerations for standard cabinets that are helpful to implement for improved safety.

Having varying heights of countertop surfaces greatly enhances a bathroom’s usability as people age and become mobility challenged, whether they are confined to a wheelchair, need walking and standing aids, or are unable to stoop or bend easily. The normal height for a countertop is 36”. Lower counters that are between 28” and 34” are easier to user by people in wheelchairs or by people who need to sit while performing everyday tasks. There should be at least 29” of clearance (from the floor up) under the counter to allow people in wheelchairs and with walking devices to get close enough to the counter to comfortable use it.

Because a person in a wheelchair might bring their legs or lower part of their body in contact with the plumbing below the sink, it’s important that you insulate the pipes, particularly the hot water and drainage pipes, to prevent any burns from the hot water moving through them while the sink is in use.

Lower bathroom cabinets by 3” to 5” from standard heights to make more of the shelves accessible to most people, so items are easier to access and move.

Remove older medicines, over the counter medicines and other harmful items from medicine cabinets so that a person doesn’t get confused and mistakenly take wrong or outdated pills or ingest harmful products.

Toilets and Bidets

The ability to sit and stand is taken for granted by most adults, but for those with strength, balance or mobility issues, it can be a very difficult task. Creating a safe and secure environment for the elderly around toilets and bidets can not only prevent injury, but also can help preserve an individual’s dignity by extending their ability to function independently.

Toilet seats and bidet seats should be at least 17” in height to allow for easy sitting and standing. Seat extenders are available to retrofit toilets that are shorter.

Make sure toilets and bidets are not placed in small alcoves or are not too close to vanities, shower stalls or other fixtures in the bathroom. There should be plenty of space around the toilet or bidet to maneuver with wheelchairs or walking aids.

Toilet seat lights help provide light in darker rooms or at night and can help an elderly person find the fixture in the middle of the night, help with depth perception, and illuminate the area to prevent trips and falls.

Toilet and bidet handles should be large, easy to grip and easy to use.

Bathtubs should be easy to enter and exit and one of the best solutions is a walk-in tub, which are tubs with doors that allow you to enter the tub over a low threshold, close the door behind you, and then either fill the tub for a bath or take a shower. Most walk-in tubs come with molded seats that are part of the tub itself, and some brands of walk-in tubs come with therapeutic options like hydrotherapy and aromatherapy that can significantly reduce the pain or discomfort of many common ailments. Some, like the Safety Tub® from American Standard, also include comfort options like water pumps that drain water out of the tub faster and include an ADA compliant seat and leak-proof door guarantee. Low profile bathtubs are better than regular height bathtubs, but they still require a person to step over and into them and they do not usually include molded seats, nor are they easy to sit or lie down in.

The tub should incorporate grab bars for safety when entering/exiting the tub and to aid with sitting and standing.

The floor of the tub should be a non-slip surface to ensure good footing when entering or exiting the tub, or while standing in the tub during a bath or shower.

Look for convenience options like hand held showers that allow users to stay seated while bathing and fast draining pumps that allow people to exit the tub faster to keep their comfort level at a maximum.

Other Tubs

If a bathtub doesn’t come with a seat already molded into its structure, add a separate seat or bench to the tub so users can sit while bathing, reducing the chance for slip and falls. Benches and seats should be positioned at least 2” from the sides of the tubs on either side to make sure the seat feet are stable and on flat surfaces, or be secured to walls with bolts to prevent it from moving or tipping over.

Bathtubs should have non-slip floors and surfaces to prevent slips and falls

Showers should be wide, and paired with a set of wide shower doors or an easy to move curtain so they are easy to enter and exit. The threshold to enter them should be as low as possible, to make it easy to step into and out of the stall, and to lessen the likelihood of trips or falls. The best all around shower option is the Seated Safety ShowerTM from American Standard. It has many thoughtful safety features integrated into its design including a wide door, wide seat and wrap around grab bar.

Look for extremely wide openings (like the width of a standard tub) to allow for very easy access by mobility-impaired people.

Built-in grab bars will provide ultimate safety while the user is standing or sitting, entering or exiting the shower stall.

Like a bathtub, it’s imperative a shower have a non-slip floor to keep slips and falls to a minimum.

Showers usually have fairly low thresholds for easy access, so be sure to find one that’s as low as possible. Also, be sure the threshold is not deeper than normal so it’s easy to step over.

The inclusion of a wide, contoured, full-sized seating area will make it much easier for people to sit and stand and will provide a more comfortable shower experience.

If a shower doesn’t come with a seat already molded into its structure, then it should contain separate but sturdy seats or benches for sitting while bathing to lessen the opportunity for slips and falls. Benches and seats should be extremely sturdy and stable with all four feet evenly supporting the weight of the bather on a flat surface, or they can be secured to the wall to be sure they do not move or tip over.

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http://blog.safetytubs.com/145/aging-parents/#commentsThu, 01 Jul 2010 21:47:15 +0000stblogadmin201http://blog.safetytubs.com/?p=145Welcome to FreeStyle Magazine! In our Aging Parents category you will find resourceful information, help and advice for dealing with aging parents. Whether you are living with an aging parent, considering moving them out of their home, need financial, emotional or other resources, the FreeStyle blog is here to help you get answers. Please check back often for new articles on this topic.
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